Reminder for OV Families!
There will be no morning program this Friday, May 2nd.
We’ll see you next week on May 9th
| Last Chance to Nominate for the OVCS Wall of Fame!
There’s still time to recognize an outstanding individual for the 2025 Wall of Fame! Whether it’s an inspiring graduate, a dedicated former employee, or a community leader who has made a difference, we want to hear from you.
|| Nomination Deadline: May 1, 2025
|| Download your nomination form here: https://rb.gy/wtj6z9
Completed forms can be mailed to:
Wall of Fame Committee, Otselic Valley Central School
PO Box 161, South Otselic, NY 13155
Let’s honor those who have helped shape Otselic Valley with their dedication, leadership, and service. Don’t miss the chance to celebrate their legacy!
|| Throwback Thursday - Kindergarten Style!
We’re taking it back to 1960 with this snapshot from the "Centralian" Yearbook featuring the Kindergarten class and their teacher, Mrs. Knickerbocker.
It’s always a joy to look back and see where our stories began.
|| Happy Administrative Professionals Day!
April 23, 2025
Today we celebrate the incredible administrative professionals who help keep Otselic Valley running smoothly every single day.
From answering calls and supporting staff to organizing behind-the-scenes details that make everything possible ... your hard work and dedication do not go unnoticed.
Thank you for all that you do to support our students, families, staff, and community. We are so grateful for you!
Aesop’s Fables Came to Life at Otselic Valley!
Our students were treated to a fantastic performance by The REV Theatre Co., who brought eight classic fables and parables to the stage, with a modern twist! From The Tortoise and the Hare to The Lion and the Mouse, students learned timeless life lessons through rhyme and storytelling.
The performance wrapped up with a fun Q&A session, and our curious learners still had a few questions left for the cast ... so we’re writing them a letter! We can’t wait to hear back.
Huge thanks to The REV for sharing this creative experience with our students -- they had a blast!
Springtime Learning and Fun!
During Spring Fest, our K-2 students at Otselic Valley enjoyed an outdoor egg hunt with a twist -- each egg was filled with sight words and math facts! After tallying up all the correct answers, our little scholars were rewarded with sweet ring pops for their efforts.
It was a perfect blend of learning and fun, and our students had a blast!
Spring Fest Fun at Otselic Valley!
Our students (and staff!) said goodbye to winter and hello to spring break with an afternoon full of laughter, games, and good vibes during Spring Fest 2025!
From volleyball and dodgeball to whipped cream pie-eating challenges (yes, Mr. Collier joined in!), the day was packed with energy. Students and staff competed in balloon popping relays, hallway corn hole, paper toss, and even a little dancing and a movie for middle schoolers!
A highlight? Our Peep Habitat Decorating Contest, where creativity really shined!
1st Place: #2: Savannah Olmsted, Autumn Pendell, Brooklynn Brown
2nd Place: #56: Abigail Foster, Braylie VanPelt, Lizzy Palmer, Addison Palmer, Izzy Neal
Thank you to everyone who made this day such a hit, and especially to our students for bringing the spirit and smiles!
|| SAVE THE DATE!
The 16th Annual Fishing & Heritage Day is coming to South Otselic on Saturday, May 17, and one of this year’s featured activities is something truly special!
Beaded Strawberry Picture Frame Workshop
Led by celebrated Oneida beader and cultural educator Doris Wilkins-Wilt from Shako:wi, the Oneida Indian Cultural Center, this hands-on art experience is open to students grades 3 and up and is a meaningful way to explore culture through creativity.
Two sessions available:
• 11:00 AM
• 1:00 PM
Location: South Otselic Fish Hatchery
Limited to 40 participants (20 per session)
Students will create a beaded picture frame using traditional techniques, and are encouraged to bring a small photo (2.5" long x 1.5” wide) to complete their piece.
We had a great turnout for last year’s cornhusk doll workshop, and we’re excited to bring another fun, hands-on activity to this year’s event.
Interested? Email foorpessin@gmail.com
Stay tuned for more event details coming soon!
|| Peeps Get Creative at OV!
Otselic Valley students recently teamed up with their buddy classrooms for a fun and collaborative spring activity -- building Peep Habitats!
From birthday parties to forest adventures to school settings, students used their imaginations to design one-of-a-kind homes for their marshmallow Peeps.
This hands-on project was all about creativity, teamwork, and a little springtime fun. The results were as sweet as the Peeps themselves!
|| Throwback Thursday
We’re going back to 2013 with this snapshot from the "iVikings" Otselic Valley Yearbook!
Featured here are the members of Yearbook and Student Council -- capturing memories, planning events, and making a difference behind the scenes!
A big shoutout to all the OV students who helped shape school spirit then and now!
|| First Grade Surgeons On Call! Learning Contractions the Hands-On Way
Thanks to a generous donation from the OV PTO, our 1st grade class received their very own set of lab coats. They put them to great use in a “contraction surgery” activity!
Students became surgeons for the day, using their tools (pencils, scissors, glue, and special apostrophe band-aids) to combine words like do and not into don’t -- carefully removing unneeded letters and healing their “patients” with apostrophes.
This creative, hands-on lesson made learning about contractions both memorable and meaningful, and the smiles said it all!
A huge thank-you to our PTO for making this awesome experience possible!
|| Attention OV Seniors!
Local scholarship applications are now available in Xello!
Deadline to apply: May 5th
Questions? See Mrs. O or Mrs. Lyon
Don’t miss out -- apply today!
|| Pre-K Puts Empathy Into Action!
On Monday, our Pre-K students gathered in the Mirrored Cafeteria to share all of the incredible social-emotional learning they’ve been working on in class. They kicked off the afternoon with a performance of their songs, including the Empathy Song -- and demonstrated calming techniques like deep breathing that they’ve been practicing. After the performance, they rolled up their sleeves to create their very own sensory bottles! Students chose from a colorful mix of pom-poms, glitter, beads, and more! They then combined their materials with glue, water, and a few drops of food coloring to create something calming, creative, and completely their own. It was a joyful and meaningful afternoon filled with songs, mindfulness, and hands-on learning. We’re so proud of our Pre-K students for the kindness and care they show every day!
|| Exploring Culture Through Cooking!
Fourth grade students in our Spanish class recently stepped into the kitchen to make arepas de queso colombianas (Colombian cheese arepas). These hands-on lessons help students connect with the world in fun and meaningful ways.
The kids loved the experience, and many of them are excited to try making arepas at home. If your student wants to recreate the recipe, P.A.N. pre-cooked cornmeal, a key ingredient, is available at Walmart!
We’re proud of our young chefs for being open to new experiences and cultures!
COMMUNITY SUPPORT for OUR FIRE DEPARTMENT!
Join the South Otselic Fire Department for their Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser on Sunday, April 13th from 8am to 12pm at the Otselic Valley School Cafeteria!
|| Enjoy pancakes, home fries, sausage & biscuits, coffee, juice, and more -- all while supporting our local fire and EMS volunteers.
|| Free-will donation at the door.
Let’s show our appreciation for the incredible people who serve our community every day. We hope to see you there!
|| Free Bike Giveaway for Madison County Residents!
Do you or someone you know need a bike for transportation, exercise, or just for fun? Community Bikes is offering FREE bikes to eligible Madison County residents!
Bike Distribution Days:
- Sunday, May 4 – Hamilton, NY
- Saturday, May 17 – Oneida, NY
| | Eligibility:
Madison County resident
Eligible for Medicaid, SNAP, SSI, SSD, or other cash assistance
Have other demonstrated needs or special circumstances
|| Pre-registration is required, and recipients must be present to receive a bike!
Apply online: https://www.communitybikes.org/receive-a-bike
Print-out application: https://shorturl.at/yZ0Ug
Learn more: https://www.communitybikes.org/
Help us spread the word so more people can get the wheels they need!
|| OVCS Family Resource:
Helping Your Child Transition from Preschool Special Education to Kindergarten
Is your child moving from Preschool Special Education to Kindergarten? The Southeast Family and Community Engagement Center (FACE) is offering a FREE virtual workshop to support families during this important milestone.
In this session, you’ll learn:
- How the transition process works
- The differences between CPSE and CSE services
- How to be an active member of your child’s transition team
- The purpose of an Individualized Education Program (IEP)
Choose a virtual session that works best for you:
- April 16th • 12–2 PM
Register: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/q8sxwgs
- April 23rd • 6–8 PM
Register: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/686mbp4
|| Reminder for Families!
There will be no morning programs on April 11, 18, 25, and May 2.
We’ll see you again on May 9th!
|| Seventh Grade Gets Cooking!
Our seventh graders took a break from the usual routine to whip up magic pizza dough using Greek yogurt and self-rising flour! From rolling out the dough to adding toppings, they created some delicious (and unique!) masterpieces.
|| A Special Message from First Grade to Third Grade!
In support of our amazing third graders who will be taking their very first state test next week, our thoughtful first graders put together a short video to cheer you on!
You've worked hard, you're ready, and there's no doubt -- you’re going to rock this test! Watch the video here: https://rb.gy/0ebgd3